REPUBLICAN REBOOT – “Ryan, Rubio plot GOP's path,” by James Hohmann: “Paul Ryan took an unmistakable shot Tuesday at Mitt Romney’s assertion that 47 percent of Americans would never vote Republican … ‘Both parties tend to divide Americans into “our voters” and “their voters,”’ the Wisconsin congressman told hundreds of well-to-do conservatives at [the Jack Kemp Foundation] awards dinner … ‘Republicans must steer far clear of that trap. We must speak to the aspirations and anxieties of every American. I believe we can turn on the engines of upward mobility so that no one is left out from the promise of America.’ … At a dinner to honor his mentor Jack Kemp, Ryan had nothing but positive words for the ‘good man’ who elevated him to the top of the heap of contenders likely to seek the Republican nomination in 2016. But he left no doubt that he would have done things differently if he was calling the shots. ‘We have a compassionate vision based on ideas that work, but sometimes we don’t do a good job of laying out that vision,’ he said. ‘We need to do a better job on that.’ …

“Sen. Marco Rubio, [who received the Kemp Leadership Award], … sought … to position himself as a substantive, detail-oriented senator, using the phrase ‘middle class’ 34 times in a 30-minute speech packed with a laundry list of ideas to create jobs and opportunity. … Ryan focused on the very poor, using the word ‘poverty’ 15 times in his own 20-minute speech. Rubio used it only once. … Rubio also made a play for the Ron Paul crowd, with tough words for the Federal Reserve and praise for a piece of legislation introduced by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Ron Paul’s son and another likely 2016 GOP candidate. The so-called REINS Act would require congressional approval of any regulation that could cost the economy over $100 million.” http://politi.co/WINArS ... Ryan text http://bit.ly/UFlLmM … Rubio text http://bit.ly/TOXI1b

DRIVING THE DAY – A White House official: At 10:50 a.m., “the President will deliver remarks and take questions from business leaders at the quarterly meeting of the Business Roundtable. As more and more business leaders speak out on the need for Congress to act on a balanced plan that protects the middle class, the President will continue to make the case that our nation’s businesses need the certainty that middle class families won’t see their taxes go up at the end of the year. The President will highlight why it would hurt our economy and our nation’s businesses if we do not find a solution to avoid another debt ceiling crisis, and will ask the business leaders for their help in supporting an approach that resolves the debt limit without drama or delay. He will also highlight that any plan must include balance and that is why he has put forward a detailed, comprehensive plan that specifies how he would raise revenue from the wealthiest, curb spending, and reform entitlements, and he will reiterate that he will not accept a deal that doesn’t include higher rates on the wealthiest individuals.”

--HOUSE GOP MINDMELD: “The biggest unanswered question for President Obama today: with slightly more than three weeks until America hits the fiscal cliff, when will the President deliver a counter-offer to House Republicans? We put a credible compromise on the table to avert the fiscal cliff with spending cuts and reforms without tax rate hikes that cost jobs, but negotiations are at a standstill until the President chooses to lead.”

OBAMA DRAWS RED LINE – “Obama Sets Higher Top Tax Rate as Precursor to Fiscal Deal ,” by Bloomberg’s Julianna Goldman and Julie Hirschfeld Davis: “President Obama sketched out a potential year-end deal pairing tax increases and spending cuts to avert the so-called fiscal cliff, while insisting Republicans must accept higher tax rates for top earners as a condition for negotiations. ‘We have the potential of getting a deal done,’ Obama [told Goldman in her third one-on-one interview with him and ] his first interview since winning re-election. ‘We’re going to have to see the rates on the top 2 percent go up, and we’re not going to be able to get a deal without it.’” http://bloom.bg/THpWxp

REMEMBERING JACK BROOKS, a congressional giant – “Longtime SE Texas US Rep. Jack Brooks dead at 89,” by AP’s Michael Graczyk in Houston: “Jack Brooks, who spent 42 years in Congress representing his Southeast Texas district and was in the Dallas motorcade in 1963 when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, … died Tuesday night at Baptist Hospital of Beaumont after a sudden illness … Brooks, who would have turned 90 on Dec. 18, was surrounded by family when he died … Brooks was among the last links to an era when Democrats dominated Texas politics and was the last of ‘Mr. Sam's Boys,’ protagonists of fellow Texan and legendary 21-year Democratic House Speaker Sam Rayburn in the state's congressional delegation. ‘I'm just like old man Rayburn,’ Brooks, from Beaumont, once said. ‘Just a Democrat, no prefix or suffix.’ …

“A Brooks-authored law required full and open competition to be the standard for awarding federal contracts. … He supported civil rights bills, refused to sign the segregationist ‘Southern manifesto’ in 1956, helped write the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964 … His congressional longevity -- … 13,858 roll call votes during his tenure -- was an issue for him and other long-serving Democrats who were swept from office in 1994. … Brooks married Charlotte Collins in 1960 and the couple had three children, Jeb Brooks, Kate Brooks Carroll and Kim Brooks, and two grandchildren, Matthew Carroll and Brooke Carroll.”

--A FRIEND WRITES: “I grew up knowing him as Mr. Chairman. Always quick with a story, which usually ended with a moral and a villain vanquished -- and Mr. Chairman's conclusion about his adversary -- either ‘he's for me now,’ or ‘he's dead now.’ Jack Brooks … began his service … as a Marine, landing on the beaches of Okinawa, Guadalcanal and other islands in the Pacific to restore freedom from tyranny. He concluded his service with decades in Congress, where he was a legislative master -- he did more to improve the lives of working Americans than any living member or alum of Congress. … And he was a witness to history like few others alive today -- standing over Jackie's left shoulder as LBJ was sworn in on Air Force One to succeed her husband as President of the United States. Don't worry, Mr. Chairman: We'll carry on the good fight now -- and we'll look for your help from higher ground.”

** A message from the Business Roundtable: With the fiscal cliff, uncertainty grows. Washington must avert the fiscal cliff so business can have the confidence to invest, hire and drive innovation. Business Roundtable CEOs have a message for Washington: It’s time to act now to avert the fiscal cliff. Hear directly from America’s CEOs at www.brt.org/itstimetoact. **

OUT AND ABOUT – “Hillary Clinton Throws Party Double-header,” by Women’s Wear Daily’s Susan Watters: “[F]or Hillary Rodham Clinton stalwarts wondering what lies ahead, [weekend] celebrations made one thing perfectly clear — at 65, the outgoing Secretary of State has the charisma, social stamina and knockout star power to run for president in 2016. … The best party in town was Clinton’s State Department Art in Embassies double-header, planned two years ago by her friend, top fund-raiser and Art in Embassies director Beth Dozoretz. ‘What’s really important is that not one dollar of government money was spent on the 50th celebration. Every dollar was donated by sponsors, and we’re going over the top,’ said Dozoretz, who has been working on the party since 2010 when she got the job widely considered one of the best political appointments in town. The program commissions American and foreign artists to design art for U.S. consulates in 200 venues in 189 countries. …

“The celebration started with a luncheon for 225 guests in the State Department diplomatic rooms and ended with a late-night art happening at the Smithsonian Kogod Courtyard behind the National Portrait Gallery. For art lovers, the State Department luncheon brought artists Jeff Koons, Cai Guo-Qiang, Shahzia Sikander, Kiki Smith and Carrie Mae Weems together with their fans, including British Ambassador Peter Westmacott and his wife, Lady Susan; White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard; Manhattan gallery owners Sean Kelly, Arnold ‘Arne’ Glimcher (founder of the Pace Gallery) and Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn; Bank of America’s Anne Finucane, and Debra Black …

“But it was at the party that evening that the Obama White House crowd showed up — and where Clinton made her late-night encore. ‘There are a lot of things to take satisfaction in,’ said Jay Carney, White House press secretary, wandering into the crowd alongside 700 artists, donors, gallery curators and Washington socialites who all turned out to celebrate. … White House celebrity chef Sam Kass joined the crowd.” http://wwd.us/YNTtcM

DREW MALONEY named Hess Corp.’s Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Policy: “Maloney, 43, will lead the company’s international, federal and state relations and be based in Washington, D.C. He was previously CEO of Ogilvy Government Relations … He also served as a senior advisor to the Republican National Committee and head of legislative affairs for the Romney Readiness Project. ‘We have worked with Drew over the years in his role at Ogilvy and are pleased to have an executive with such extensive experience lead our government relations and public policy group,’ said John B. Hess, Chairman and CEO of Hess …

“[Maloney] was a founding partner of the Federalist Group, acquired by Ogilvy and Mather in 2004. … He was also Administrative Assistant and Legislative Director for Republican House Majority Whip Tom DeLay … He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Randolph-Macon College and a J.D. from Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law.”

--“Top aide to MD governor leaving for lobbying firm” – AP Maryland wire: “A long-time aide to Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley is leaving to take a position with a Maryland lobbying firm. The departure of Rick Abbruzzese (A'-Bru-Zee) is the second high-profile departure for O'Malley in a month. Chief lobbyist Joseph C. Bryce recently left to join an Annapolis lobbying firm. Abbruzzese is joining the lobbying firm of Rifkin, Livingston, Levitan and Silver, joining Josh White, who managed governor's 2006 gubernatorial campaign. Abbruzzese first worked with O'Malley in 2003. He has been deputy press secretary, press secretary, deputy campaign manager and communications director.”

TOP DEM TALKER – “Democrats to Obamaland: Share your data,” by Lois Romano: “From the candidates running in 2014 to the state Democratic parties to progressive advocacy groups, there is an intense behind-the-scenes lobbying campaign afoot to pry from Obamaland its groundbreaking voter database. The data is rich with intricate layers of information about individuals’ voting habits, television viewing tastes, propensity to volunteer, car registration, passions, email address, cellphone numbers, and social media contacts. The historical trove enabled Obama to connect with voters on a highly personal level and get them not only to vote but to actively persuade their neighbors to do the same. … Several top Obama campaign officials … said that no decisions have been made about the data … Those decisions likely won’t be made until closer to the president’s inauguration next month.

“Among the prime options being discussed: … setting up an independent, not-for-profit entity, run by Obama aides, to manage and keep the electronic files updated so the contacts could be used to further the president’s agenda. … Sources estimate that the campaign spent $100 million on specially designed software that allowed aides to home in on voters through their connection with other supporters, a process called Targeted Sharing. Data was collected from a variety of sources that included Facebook, voter records, door-to-door canvassing, and information provided by outside vendors. … Several sources say Team Obama is looking closely at creating a new 501(c)(4) … Its sole purpose would be to manage Obama’s grass-roots supporters. … ‘The bottom line,’ said one Obama official, ‘is that this database is for furthering the president’s agenda, and electing more Democrats around the country helps the president further his agenda. We’re not walking away.’” http://politi.co/THo5Zy

TOP GOP TALKER – “Dick Armey, FreedomWorks president clashed over book deal,” by Kenneth P. Vogel: “Dick Armey [former House majority leader under Speaker Gingrich] left the deep-pocketed tea party group he helped build over a clash with a top lieutenant who Armey and others in the organization believed was using the group’s resources to pad his pockets … Armey received an $8 million buyout to step down as chairman of FreedomWorks at the end of last month, but the dispute between him and the group’s president, Matt Kibbe, is still straining the organization. … The tensions … boiled over this summer when Armey balked at a deal that Kibbe struck with HarperCollins to write a book called ‘Hostile Takeover: Resisting Centralized Government’s Stranglehold on America,’ which was released in June. Armey was concerned that Kibbe structured the deal to personally profit from the book despite relying on FreedomWorks staff and resources to research, help write and promote it … So Armey declined to sign a memorandum presented to him in his capacity as a member of the board of trustees stating that the book was written without significant FreedomWorks resources …

“Asked about his refusal to sign the memorandum, Armey … said, ‘What bothered me most about that was that he was asking me to lie’ … After Armey’s concerns came to the attention of the organization’s board at a late August meeting, … Kibbe and the group’s executive vice president, Adam Brandon, were placed on administrative leave in early September and had their cell phones taken away. … This year, … [the group] raised more than $40 million … [It has a] 2 million-address email list and 4 million Facebook fans. … Armey … agreed to stay on until after the election as a condition of an $8 million consulting contract with FreedomWorks donor and board member Richard Stephenson, founder of the private Cancer Treatment Centers of America. … Armey [said] ‘the concern was that the story that the press would write is that the whole tea party movement was in a state of disarray.’ … In 2010, FreedomWorks … paid Armey $500,000 while Kibbe earned $321,000.” http://politi.co/VvA9QK

2014 WATCH – “Ashley Judd exploring Senate run,” by Manu Raju: “Ashley Judd vs. Mitch McConnell? It might not be as far-fetched as you think. The Hollywood movie star and eighth-generation Kentuckian is seriously exploring a 2014 run for the Senate to take on the powerful Republican leader … In recent weeks, Judd has spoken with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) about the possibility of a run, has discussed a potential bid with a Democratic pollster and has begun to conduct opposition research on herself … She’s reportedly also weighing whether to wait until 2016 to instead take on freshman Sen. Rand Paul … [I]f Judd does become a candidate, she would be the biggest celebrity to run for the Senate since Al Franken’s successful 2008 bid for the Minnesota seat. … Democrats privately acknowledge that recruiting isn’t easy against McConnell, as the state’s strongest Democrats may instead run for governor in 2015 rather than face the GOP leader’s machine in a bare-knuckle Senate bid. …. Judd … could raise a ton of cash, energize the base and would have significant name recognition in the state. …

“She’d be pegged as a liberal, out of touch with conservative Kentucky; she has no experience running for office; and she now lives outside her home state. In addition to Judd, a wide range of Democratic names have been floated, such as Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and Obama fundraiser Matthew Barzun, both of whom are noncommittal about the race. McConnell’s campaign is already talking about how it’s prepared to tear apart any Democrat who joins the fray. ‘It’s going to sting,’ Jesse Benton, McConnell’s campaign manager, warned to any candidates considering a run. ‘We’re going to make sure that you don’t come out with your nose clean. We’re going to drive your negatives up and very aggressively and publicly litigate your record before the citizens of Kentucky.’” http://politi.co/11SuVhz

MEDIAWATCH – NBC release: “NBC News President Steve Capus … announced that Peter Alexander has been named White House Correspondent, joining Chuck Todd and Kristen Welker on the beat effective immediately. … Chuck Todd will extend his tenure as NBC News Political Director and Chief White House Correspondent, as well as anchor of MSNBC’s ‘The Daily Rundown,’ editor of NBCNews.com’s ‘First Read’ blog, and frequent contributor to ‘Meet the Press.’ … Alexander will join Todd and Welker in covering the Obama administration for all platforms of NBC News … Alexander, who joined NBC in 2004, most recently led the network’s coverage of Republican nominee Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign. Alexander’s reporting earned recognition as one of POLITICO’s ‘10 breakout reporters of 2012.’

“‘Peter has proven himself as a sharp reporter throughout his eight years with NBC News, and consistently went the extra mile as he covered Governor Romney on the campaign trail,’ said Capus. … ‘We’re also thrilled that Chuck is continuing in his role as NBC News Political Director and Chief White House Correspondent. Chuck is a highly respected voice in this news division … His reporting, analysis, and editorial guidance are truly integral to every aspect of our political coverage.’” Bio, photohttp://nbcnews.to/VBMMWD

STATE VISIT (notables visiting D.C.): John and Joan VandeHei of Oshkosh, Wis.

KIKI McLEAN writes: “[W]e are celebrating the 40th anniversary of Porter Novelli. While we’re now a global agency, PN was founded right here in Washington DC. We’re [hosted] an alumni reunion breakfast … where former PNers can re-connect and remember. Alums … from near and far include[ed] our own founders Bill Novelli and Jack Porter and our own former DC team member and now global interim CEO, Michael Ramah.”

** A message from the Business Roundtable: America’s CEOs urge Washington to act now to avert the fiscal cliff. Robert McDonald, Chairman, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble: “Every day the fiscal cliff remains unresolved is one more day of uncertainty that’s holding back both America’s economic recovery and American business. It’s time for Washington to resolve the fiscal cliff and give companies and their workers the certainty they need.” Hear directly from other leading CEOs at www.brt.org/itstimetoact **

****** A message from UnitedHealth Group: What does it take to create a modern, high-performing, simpler health care system? Expanding access to care through proven state-based coverage and employer-sponsored insurance. Making health care more affordable with consumer-directed care and value-based payments. Supporting and modernizing Medicare to meet the complex health challenges of America’s seniors. And reinvesting in health to support research and innovation. Learn more about these ideas at http://www.unitedhealthgroup.com ******

Authors:

About The Author

Mike Allen is the chief White House correspondent for POLITICO. He comes to us from Time magazine where he was their White House correspondent. Prior to that, Allen spent six years at The Washington Post, where he covered President Bush's first term, Capitol Hill, campaign finance, and the Bush, Gore and Bradley campaigns of 2000. Before turning to national politics, he covered schools and local governments in rural counties outside Fredericksburg, Va., for The Free Lance-Star, then wrote about Doug Wilder, Oliver North, Chuck Robb and the Bobbitts for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, where he nurtured police sources on overnight ride-alongs through housing projects. Allen also covered Mayor Giuliani, the Connecticut statehouse and the wacky rich of Greenwich for The New York Times. Before moving to The Times, he did stints in the Richmond and Alexandria bureaus of The Washington Post. Allen grew up in Orange County, Calif., and has a B.A. from Washington and Lee University, where he majored in politics and journalism.